I believe the "Think Different" campaign was targeted primarily at Apple loyalists, to make them feel better about sticking with the Mac. It certainly didn't move the Mac market share needle very much. And I sure don't see it being very relevant to Apple's current market message.

I think you're right. It was still one of their best ever campaigns (IMO)... although the single ad with the tall guy and the small guy using the 12 inch and 17 inch PowerBooks was my all-time favorite!

Hipness is the easy part. It's a natural accompaniment of innovation. Innovation (that works) is the hard part.

What's interesting to me is how tenaciously Apple's detractors cling to the "hipsters and posers" dig at Apple's customers.

Apple is now very obviously a mass market phenomena. If every third person has an iPhone and/or an iPad, what could "hipster" possibly mean in that context? I'm trying to think of some other product with the wide adoption of Apple's i-line that somehow still got belittled for being the affectation of elites or elite wannabes, but I'm not coming up with anything.

They spoke of the sayings and doings of their commander, the grand duke, and told stories of his kindness and irascibility.

It's difficult to promote an image of hipness, which I think they still do, when your products are already in so many hands. It's not irrelevance that I worry about so much, it's a muddied image, which comes from a corporation that loses its way (fill in your favorite example here). So long as Apple knows what they are about, I think customers will get that message.

I dont think its that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that hip appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

I dont think its that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that hip appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.

I think it's quite funny that you associate 'cool' with 'expensive', because the two have rarely, if ever, been linked.

I dont think its that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that hip appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.

It's not just about price, but also about at least the impression of exclusivity. It's tough for a product to remain a cool accessory when tens of millions of people own it. Not impossible, but more difficult. So that's why Apple had to move beyond the limits of "Think Different" marketing, which they've done quite deliberately, and well, so far. I think the further they move into the mass market the more difficult it becomes for them to figure out what message works. They are having to address a progressively wider market.

It's not just about price, but also about at least the impression of exclusivity. It's tough for a product to remain a cool accessory when tens of millions of people own it. Not impossible, but more difficult. So that's why Apple had to move beyond the limits of "Think Different" marketing, which they've done quite deliberately, and well, so far. I think the further they move into the mass market the more difficult it becomes for them to figure out what message works. They are having to address a progressively wider market.

That was addressed as part of the point I made. These items within a market segment are still exclusive because within that market segment cheaper knockoffs and copycats can be had. To reiterate, as long as Apple keeps doing what its doing it’ll be fine.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Here's how a conversation with the salesperson would go (styled Family Guy style):

Peter: I'd like to buy this Studebaker.
Cashier: I'll give you the Tab with it.
Peter: do not want.
Cashier: But it's included for free!
Peter: If it so much as comes near my Studebaker, I will kill you.
Cashier (speaking to the Tab): don't worry, someday someone will want you. (puts back on shelf)

oprah never gives away anything on her show. the production company (which she owns) does. or some sponsor does. but not oprah. neither ipads nor automobiles. she just keeps adding to her pile rather than taking away from it. this is also some nice advertising for her publication, too. but isn't that what the show is for anyway? god bless marketing.

oprah never gives away anything on her show. the production company (which she owns) does. or some sponsor does. but not oprah. neither ipads nor automobiles. she just keeps adding to her pile rather than taking away from it. this is also some nice advertising for her publication, too. but isn't that what the show is for anyway? god bless marketing.

This is a funny distinction. Oprah owns the company, but when the company gives something away, Oprah hasn't given anything away. Nobody is mistaking it for charity, if that's what you really mean.

If every third person has an iPhone and/or an iPad, what could "hipster" possibly mean in that context? I'm trying to think of some other product with the wide adoption of Apple's i-line that somehow still got belittled for being the affectation of elites or elite wannabes, but I'm not coming up with anything.

That was addressed as part of the point I made. These items within a market segment are still exclusive because within that market segment cheaper knockoffs and copycats can be had. To reiterate, as long as Apple keeps doing what its doing itll be fine.

My memory is that the Walkman was considered "music", though, more like the iPod is now. Like, anyone who liked music had a Walkman, not that it was the accessory of hipsters or snobs or something. To the point that "Walkman" passed over into generic description, like "zipper" or "kleenex" or "bandaid."

They spoke of the sayings and doings of their commander, the grand duke, and told stories of his kindness and irascibility.

I dont think its that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that hip appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.

Serious question; are you suggesting that Apple are only as popular and successful as they currently are because they have a 'hip' or 'cool' image? The reason I ask is because of the tireless number of threads about Apple vs. the rest of the world where it's concluded that Apple are so successful because they make better products. However, if part of that success is based on their cool image, surely that diminishes the argument that they simply make the better product?

You can clearly see the 2 sides of the coin here; the Apple fans with say that their success is because of them making the better product, whereas the Apple haters will say it's because they are simply the 'in thing' right now. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. Apple make strong products that are seen as hip and cool. Lose one or both qualities and Apple's success would be nowhere near where it currently stands.

The vultures = people who consistently post negatively on AI about all things Apple. If you don't like Apple just don't come here and you can live in your own little bubble. I don't support Android, so therefore I don't go to Android blogs sites. Is it that hard to understand?

Do you mean that you live in a bigger bubble? Or just in a different one? Or do you assume that some one has their own and you (what a shame) has only a common-"sheep" bubble?

I absolutely have no idea why are you explaining me what "vultures" is. Definitely there are people who constantly post negative things. And I don't take notice of any of such individual to remember them. So if you wanted my attention to any one who does so, you needed to be more specific.

Simple reason ................Its Holiday time and people need gifts. After all you can't put a note in a box saying I owe you one 2nd generation IPAD.

You missed my sardonic tone. The logic of the statement would lead to never buying any technology product at any time because a newer and better one is always just around the corner. Fortunately for technology companies like Apple, few people seem to actually think this way.

Do these people really react like this ? are they on crack or something ? Could someone tell them to get a grip on reality.

Sorry, maybe I was unfair, did they let them out for the weekend ?

Well, I mean, it is television. They've been strenuously encouraged, off camera, to lose their minds. And then if everybody else is in on it it becomes a fun bit of theater.

Same as for reality shows, where hugely exaggerated reactions and pointless shouting are pretty much the norm. Average, boring people are always surprised and amused to discover that a bit of play acting and some editing has made of them super-villians or hapless fall guys.

They spoke of the sayings and doings of their commander, the grand duke, and told stories of his kindness and irascibility.